This is not your mother’s perimenopause.
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Joined by guest host Zoë Foster Blake, and Dr Fatima Khan, we’re diving head first into perimenopause: the what, the why, and the how-the-f**k to deal with it.
Typically beginning in your late 30’s, and in your brain of all places, perimenopause symptoms include heightened anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, brain fog … all things that make you feel further and further away from your best self.
Beginning 5 -7 years BEFORE your last menstrual period, perimenopause can coincide with postpartum, the most important presentation of your career to date, and the uncovering of neurodivergence, which may have been painstakingly masked until this shift in hormones.
With the expertise of Dr Fatima, and the lived experience of Zoë, we hope this episode makes you feel seen, less alone, and ready to have THAT conversation with your GP.
Chapters
00:00:00 The Truth of Perimenopause [TRAILER]
00:01:09 The Meet Cute of Zoe Foster Blake and Dr Fatima Khan
00:06:55 Is this Perimenopause? Early Signs + Symptoms
00:07:41 Zoe’s Perimenopause Journey: No Sleep, Anxiety, Rage, Repeat.
00:09:56 Volcanic Rage, Explained
00:14:59 What Doctor’s Miss: Misdiagnosis + Antidepressants
00:15:57 Why Your Husband Is Breathing Too Loud
00:20:18 Perimenopause Mental Health Screening
00:21:25 Debunking the “You’re Too Young” Myth
00:23:43 Is it Anxiety? Depression? Perimenopause?
00:25:26 The Pill, The Mirena + The Modern Woman in Peri
00:30:44 Loosing Yourself in Peri: Brain Fog + Dementia Fears
00:32:10 The Importance of Testosterone
00:36:00 HRT Myths: Re-educating a generation
00:39:04 A Script for a Script: What to say to your GP
00:41:12 Perimenopause Is a Multi-Organ Syndrome
00:46:09 High Achieving Women + Peri = Shame
00:46:47 When Perimenopause Unmasks Your ADHD
00:54:26 Trauma Reactivation in Perimenopause
00:57:17 Pills + Skills: Why HRT Alone Isn’t Enough
00:58:41 The Longevity of It All
01:00:30 Nutrition
📚Things to read
Group Chat, by Zoë Foster Blake - https://bit.ly/4efqR70
Hormone Health is Mental Health, by Dr Fatima Khan - https://bit.ly/4j6G2Ts
💻Things to check out
Australasian Menopause Society - menopause.org.au
Meno-D questionnaire - https://bit.ly/3Toj3sN
Zela Wellbeing - https://bit.ly/4ARGFXu
🎧Imperfects episodes for MORE on hormones
Zoë Foster Blake - Zero Lucks Given - https://bit.ly/4y8xwHx
Dr Louise Newson - Maybe it’s Menopause - https://bit.ly/4i7xM3F
Dr Louise Newson - It’s Hormones. Period. - https://bit.ly/47ya9w2
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The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.
